Tag: walking

A large new study that pooled together data from a dozen studies found that those who walk, swim, jog or do other sorts of activity the most are at lower risk of developing 13 different types of cancer compared to those who are the least active. The study included almost 1.5 million participants and supports the importance of physical activity for lower cancer risk.

AICR research shows that activity lowers risk of colon, breast, and endometrial cancers. There is some evidence being active may play a role in other cancers, but many of these studies are relatively small; AICR continues to analyze the research – including this study – as part of its Continuous Update Project.

The strength of this study was that it could pool together cancers that are not as common. Here, researchers included 12 population studies from the United States and Europe to look at how physical activity links to 26 cancer types. All together, the studies included 1.4 million men and women, ages 18 to 98. The average age was 59. Read more… “Massive new study, activity cuts risk of 13 cancers”

We’ve been talking a lot about preventing liver cancer here with the release of our new report. Among other factors, the report concluded that obesity increases risk of liver cancer — a cancer that can stem from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Now comes a study that suggests overweight adults who do even 15 minutes of daily exercise —regardless of intensity or weight loss— can reduce the risk of both liver fat and belly fat, compared to those who are inactive. Belly fat, also called visceral fat, is a sign of poor metabolic health and another risk factor for many cancers.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease has become the most common cause of liver disease in the US; it can lead to cirrhosis, which could develop into cancer. People with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease have extra fat in their liver that doesn’t come from alcohol. Weight loss and exercise are the basic recommendations for obese people who have NAFLD. But what intensity exercise and how much was the focus of this study. Read more… “Exercising Daily 15 Minutes and More, Reduces Liver and Belly Fat”

Almost two-thirds of Americans now say we take walks, a figure that has nudged up slightly over the years and may mean more adults are likely to get the recommended amount of exercise, according to a government report released yesterday.

Walkers are almost three times more likely to meet the US physical activity guidelines than non-walkers, the report also found.

The finding bodes well for our health, given that regular physical activity reduces the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases. Yet even with these slight gains, only 48 percent of Americans meet the physical activity recommendations for good health, the report states. Government recommendations say we should be active at least 150 minutes a week at a moderate-intensity, such as brisk walking. (For cancer prevention, AICR recommends at least 30 minutes of daily activity.)